What is the application process for obtaining a DTV Visa in Vientiane, Laos?

Sep 9, 2024
3 months ago
DTV Visa SUCCESS! 🎉 Vientiane, Laos.

Hey all. I just received my passport back with a DTV Visa. Feeling grateful! I thought I would make this post to document the process I took, and my current situation.

I stressed myself out to the max before applying for this visa due to the conflicting info online. It seems to vary heavily from embassy to embassy and is dependent on multiple factors.

DO NOT take my application as gospel, but hopefully there is some info in here that can help others.

Embassy I used - 🇱🇦 Vientiane, Laos

My nationality - 🇬🇧 British

Application type - 🛂 In person

Visa type - 💻 Remote work DTV

Company location - 🇦🇺 Australia

Time taken - ⏰ 3 days inc day of application

Documents I submitted ✍️

• Passport copies

• Passport photos x 2

• Previous month wage slip for July

• Upwork profile page PDF (freelance site)

• Upwork certificate of earnings (payslip)

• LinkedIn profile page PDF

• Rental contract for house rental in Thailand

• Previous years UK tax return proof

• Booking confirmation of hotel in Laos

• Copy of Laos Visa on arrival stamp in passport [they emphasized this]

• Printed out embassy appointment for Laos

• 6 months UK personal bank statement closing balance showing 500k baht, in my name

• Remote work contract from AUS company (not notarized by AUS embassy)

• Cover letter describing my documents (discarded by officer upon submission)

Day of applying:

1. I arrived outside the embassy at 8AM, 1hr before.

2. Went inside at 9AM sharp

3. First hurdle is initial document check & check that you have appointment booked (they checked email confirmation too)

4. Walked up to main counter, handed officer my document stack

5. Officer skimmed through, taking considerable notice to my bank statements

6. Officer did not ask for any further documents it was a very quick process. I could see him flicking through my docs and ticking off the checklist in his head as he went along

7. Officer asked for my passport & 10,000baht CASH (they only accepted Thai baht)

8. I submitted, and got told to come back to collect my passport today @ 1:30PM

9. Collected my passport with DTV Visa sticker 🥳

It was the most hassle free embassy experience I’ve had. Super simple and straight to the point. Much better experience than I’ve had at Thai embassy’s in other countries. Super chilled here.

BANK STATEMENTS FAQ ❓

I did NOT have 500k balance for the entirety of the past 6 months. I recently topped up my account from elsewhere to ensure the closing balance was over 500k baht (literally 2 days before applying). I circled my closing balance of this month with a pen, and converted the GBP 🇬🇧 currency to Thai baht 🇹🇭 to make it dead easy for the officers to see I had the required amount.

Good luck everyone!!

Interested to see what happens in 180 days from now, but that’s a story for another day. Got 6 months to breathe & eat Pad Krapow now. 😂

Happy to answer any questions below. 👇
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post details the successful application for a DTV Visa at the Thai embassy in Vientiane, Laos, by a British national. The user describes their preparation and the specific documents submitted, including passport copies, tax returns, and proof of funds in their bank account. The application process took only three days and was straightforward compared to experiences at other embassies. Comments from other users express gratitude for the detailed account and share their own experiences regarding the DTV Visa, discussing challenges and offering advice on document requirements.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Sky *****
Hi. Can you help me with this part of the form: Duration of stay in Thailand, Guarantors etc.. Thank you.
Rudi ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I put 180 days* & the details of my house owner who I'm renting from in Thailand. 🙂
Anita ********
Thank you. Awesome detail.
Sky *****
Congrats. I'm heading to the same Embassey mid October for my DTV.
Angela ********
Congrats on getting the visa! I'm looking for someone to interview about the process of getting the DNV for an article and wondered if you might be interested? I'll send you a DM
Lana *******
Thank you so much for sharing
Chagal *************
I’ve got all of the above but I’ve been in Thailand for the past year and previously on an ED Visa. Will I still be able to go through the process of getting a DTV?
Rudi ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chagal ************
yep. I’ve got a mate in the exact same situation doing it in Vientiane at the end of this month
Shenai *******
Wow congratulations!

It’s so interesting reading your success story, as I didn’t have success at Vientiane, and supplied all the equivalent documents as yourself. My officer didn’t like that my 500k baht equivalent was in my bank account for less than 6 months, even though it was moved from another bank account (of mine) in early July.

Honestly, congratulations 🙏🏻🙌🏻 I know the stress (all too well 🫠) so you must be elated!
Anita ********
@Shenai ******
so what’s your plan for a second attempt?
Shenai *******
@Anita *******
I’ll try again in a few months! They were happy with everything else ☺️
Somboon ********
Weird. I applied at Vientiane too, had around 2M baht in the account for only one month, and was approved.
Shenai *******
@Somboon *******
my guy must have been reeeaaaally specific that day 🥲
Rudi ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shenai ******
oh dear I’m so sorry to hear that. Did you submit/get success anywhere else?
Shenai *******
@Rudi *****************
not yet 😉 I’m still metaphorically licking my wounds, so I’m on the Tourist visa for a little while longer so I’ve 100% hit the “6 month mark” with my bank acct.
Clare ******************
Great account and I think def the embassy of choice for ease.
Andi ***********
👏 Congrats! Thanks for the useful post. It will help many.
Rusty ******
I'm looking to apply for the DTV. I work for an Australian company, but my work contract doesn't specifically state I'm remote worker, even though I've been working remotely since the coof. Will this be an issue for me?
Andi ***********
Rusty Jarz You can ask your company to write a letter which details you work online and can work remotely in Thailand.
Rudi ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rusty *****
no you should be fine. Just make sure the document looks official and is signed by the director. Make sure it has your name and address showing your home country also! :)
Narelle *********
Congratulations 🙌
Pitch ******
Hi ! May I ask you if you notarized any document or nothing at all ?

Thank you so much and big congrats 🎉🎉
Rudi ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pitch *****
nope, nothing notarized! I rang up KL and that sounded like a nightmare mission. I just gave them my work contract signed by my companies director (online )
Pitch ******
@Rudi *****************
thank you so much 🙏

Yes I also tried in KL some times ago and they make it very difficult...😅. Thanks again and enjoy your visa !
Cait *********
This is REALLY helpful. Thanks so much!
Rudi ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Cait ********
Thank you! I tried to write the post I wish I saw before I applied hahah
Cait *********
@Rudi *****************
I think you did. I have has my eyes peeled for one from someone who didn't have the 500k in the bank the whole time, just at the end, specifically when applying in Vientiane. This is perfect.
Leah ********
Sorry can I ask why you used the embassy in Laos or was you already living there?
Rudi ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Leah *******
it seemed like the most straightforward embassy in terms of requirements. For example I rang up Kuala Lumpur and they wanted official notarized/stamped work contracts from the embassy of where your work/company is located…. Stuff that lol 😂
James ********
@Rudi *****************
wise to avoid KL Thai Embassy. Appears More difficult to get the DTV visa at KL.
Tod *********
Thank you for that detailed write up (y)

Congrats on getting the DTV

Enjoy your visa 🙂
Rudi ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
anything I can do to give back to this community. Was a massive help in my application. Thank you!
Rudi ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes! Thank you 💯
Tod *********
make sure to check your stamp at passport control when you stamp in so that you got stamped in on the DTV for 180 days not on a free 60 day entry stamp 😛
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